Page 13 of All Saints: Pledge

And with that, she shuts her window, and I turn to face the space where Dominic inhabited just moments before.

He’s gone.

It’s just as well. I have an active mystery to solve.

My coat and I sweep into my room and close and lock the door behind me. I’m unsettled by these cards appearing. Does someone else have a keyto my room? Being kidnapped pops back up in my brain as a potential.

The card stock is the same smooth stock and silvery lettering as before. I’m to report to the charity ball at 7pm on Friday as a volunteer. Dress code is Black Tie. There’s no other information.

I go so far as to pull out my UV toothbrush cleaner and wave it over it. Just in case there’s a secret message in invisible ink.

Nothing.

Surelyvolunteeringat a charity auction isn’t my first test? What will they test me on? My ability to serve drinks? Only the best coat room helpers get the cash payout? It’s exceedingly pedestrian.

And then there’s Li and Dominic. I’d just agreed to attend the charity ball with them for fun. I’ll need to come up with an excuse and potentially make Dominic regret the coat and near-kiss.

Two roads split in front of me. If I take the road on my left, I’ve got my classes, and an extremelyhot, sweet, smart British guy. Literally everything I’ve ever wanted. And on my right…a secret society with vague rules and volunteer hours, but it funds my stay here.

As someone who would have been seen as theleast likely candidate for induction into a prestigious secret societyin High School, I’m not exactly sure how I’ve arrived here. Sure, I’m a person who picks up litter off the streets and gives money to panhandlers. In high school, I sat and contemplated how to make the world a better place. I did a fundraiser for the local homeless shelter every year at Christmas. My virtue is apparently what broughtmeto Oxford. But it’s like putting on an ill-fitting sweater. It looks good on the hanger, but I’m not sure it’s actually something I should buy.

Money to finish my education here is essential. Whatever clout comes with being backed by a prestigious fraternity could only help in my endeavors. The question is: what am I willing to do for an advantage? Secret societies don’t always have the best reputation. Hence the secrecy.

I’m of one mind to quit, to not respond to the card. Dance the night away with Dominic and steal a kiss at the end. It would besoeasy. It would also be the very last term—perhaps the last night—I spent at Oxford. I’ll be a girl that disappeared.

I’m left with the murkier path, where the moonlit trees seem menacing. There might be wolves down that path. But, I must accept that risk to remain here.

Despite my belief that it might be smarter to make an option three and run for the hills, I steel myself and plan for Friday. Whatever this test is, I’m going to be ready for it.

7

“There you are!” Li nearly crashes into me. I assume she’s on her way to the bathroom, since it’s near the catering entrance. I’ve just pressed through that door with another tray of champagne.

People dressed in black, white, and red swirl around us, moved by the music of a string quartet. The tall paneled room is stifling, and the stone of the ceiling doesn’t help with sound attenuation. It’s loud, hot, and stuffy in all senses of the word. I catch sight of the dark-haired angel, dancing with a black girl. He seems to turn up at all of the same events I do.

“I’ve been looking for you,” Li says, wiping at her forehead.

“Champagne?” I ask, channeling my finest butler voice.

Clara sweeps past us both, brandishing her own tray and rolls her eyes at me. She hates this as much as, or more than, I do. I saw her physically flinch when they asked her to put on an apron.

Li’s eyes sparkle. “Oh, thank you good woman!” Then she drops her voice. “I really wish you were finished volunteering, we’re getting bored without you. And hot,” she says, swiping two glasses before chugging one and eyeing me.

“I think soon?” I hedge into the doorway so I can look like I’m serving drinks and not socializing. I’m uncertain if anyone’s observing. If this is truly my test, I want to appear attentive. Nothing out of the ordinary has occurred, no wolves on the path. Nada, unless you count ushering drunk people to the loo so they don’t vomit on the floor. I showed up, got handed a black tuxedo jacket and a tray, and la voila.

“You look amazing, at least.” Li reaches over to tuck a lock of hair behind my ear.

That muchistrue, thanks to her. My usually messy hair flows over my shoulders in big voluminous Hollywood waves, sleek and impossibly shiny. Framed by dark lashes, my large dark eyes look larger and almost doe-like with the makeup. Regretfully, I allowed Li to “try” on a bright red lipstick, only to realize later that the lip stain would be nearly impossible to remove from my lips. The same stain graces my cheeks, giving me a just-kissed look that is compelling as hell. I have to hand it to her. She’s drawn a siren out of my mousey usual. Several men in the room sought champagne frommytray repeatedly—pulled away by their wives with cold stares. The power I gain from just a little makeup and blowout is heady.

“I even dig the tuxedo jacket,” Li says. “Are you sure you don’t like women?”

I sigh, “Sadly not, but you’ll be the first I contact if I change my mind.” Across the room, Dominic laughs and talks with other students, drawing my eye as if the universe orchestrated it.

“He hasn’t been able to stop watching you all night either,” Li says, rolling her eyes. “Hopefully you have time at the end to dance and put the poor guy out of his misery. Just make sure you two go back to your room and not Dom’s, I don’t want to hear it through the walls.”

“Li, it’s not like that.” But a blush creeps up my chest, envisioning it.

Dominic’s eyes connect with mine, and I wave just as my vision fills with oneverypissed off Kendall, stalking toward me. The test, whatever it is, approacheth like a dark rider of the apocalypse.

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